Statement on Gov. Brown’s Proposed 2017-18 Budget

The Bay Area Council issued the following statement on Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2017-18 budget:

“Gov. Brown’s proposed budget wisely reflects the uncertain economic conditions ahead, while also emphasizing the urgent need to invest in transportation and address the state’s massive housing crisis,” said Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council. “The housing principles the Governor spelled out in his budget rightly focus on making reasonable, sensible reforms that offer us the best hope of addressing our epic housing shortage in a meaningful way for all Californians. For the sake of our economy and for the well-being of millions of residents struggling to afford housing in our state, we urge the Legislature to work now with the Governor to bring these reforms to reality this year. We can’t put off this problem any longer. The Governor’s proposals for investing $43 billion in our deteriorating transportation infrastructure also deserve immediate action by the Legislature as our congested roads and highways continue to crumble and our mass transit systems reach the breaking point.”